Statement on Diversity & Confidentiality

Statement on Diversity

The Center for Counseling and Student Development is sensitive to diversity and the richness of human differences. Our service and training missions as well as our work ethic exemplify our commitment to treat staff and students as valued and respected individuals across all differences. Thus, the Center's policies, procedures, activities, relationships and interactions with individuals and groups in the campus community reflect these values.

Global diversity is increasing in our everyday lives. We challenge ourselves, our students, and ECU community to develop qualities of adaptability, flexibility, and versatility so that we may all learn to work effectively with those different from ourselves. As a staff we are committed to celebrating the diversity that gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, culture, sexual orientation, age, religious beliefs, class, appearance, and abilities bring. Further, we embrace an inclusive definition of diversity, while facilitating healing in our lives, and in the lives of those we serve and train.

Statement on Confidentiality

We have the primary obligation to respect the confidentiality of any information obtained from you in the course of your work with your counselor. Therefore, anything you tell your counselor in confidence will remain confidential, except in rare circumstances. For example, if you revealed to your counselor that you were planning to hurt yourself or someone else or if you told your counselor about child abuse or elder abuse which is currently occurring, he/she would need to break confidentiality to protect the people who might be harmed. The only other limit to confidentiality is if a record were to be subpoenaed by a court of law. Otherwise, information shared by you is revealed only with your explicit consent and only to the person(s) or agency to whom you have consented to have such information revealed. If you have any questions or concerns about confidentiality, please discuss them with your counselor.

Statement on Electronic Communication

Per the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS) Standard III.K.2. :

Electronic mail (e-mail) is not a safe means to transmit confidential information. When e-mail is

used to correspond with a client or transmit information, informed consent regarding potential limits

to confidentiality must be communicated which explain the inherent risks to confidentiality posed by this technology, and the limitations it also imposes on the center’s ability to respond in a timely manner to emergency situations.

Center staff will not utilize electronic mail or social media (including but not limited to Facebook and Twitter) to communicate with clients regarding clinical issues. Electronic mail can be used to communicate with students regarding scheduling or basic case management issues if a student has signed the Electronic Communication Policy and Consent Form. Situations in which a clinician would like to use email to communicate with a client regarding clinical issues should be approved by the Leadership team and have specific consent that meets IACS Standard III.K.2 clearly documented in the client’s chart.